Mobotix AG, a leading manufacturer of digital high-resolution, network-based video security systems have released details of an innovative solution using MOBOTIX technology which is helping Anderson Harkins, a property management firm, protect large retail sites 24 hours a day while reducing the burden of employing on site security staff.
Anderson Harkins manages eight sites across the UK for a major property developer client. At two particular locations, the firm felt that a security upgrade was needed to help protect one vacant site from thieves and to help secure another active site in a more cost effective manner than employing traditional security guards.
Anderson Harkins had previously employed Clear Image MMS Ltd, a highly respected Monitoring, Maintenance and Security solutions provider, to deliver traditional CCTV implementation. Based on this successful relationship, the firm approached the MOBOTIX partner for advice on how to secure both sites. Clear Image recommended its Freedom Monitored CCTV service, which uses a fast deployment CCTV camera system based on MOBOTIX technology combined with 3G connectivity and monitored remotely from its NSI Gold Category II control centre.
The Freedom system uses hemispheric cameras to provide a wider field of vision that reduces the number of cameras needed to secure any perimeter. In addition, the battery backup and wireless connectivity allows the system to be deployed in a flexible manner and quickly redeployed if the site requirements change. The service offers a fixed cost per camera with no minimum contract period. Clear Image estimate that a typical installation costs around a third of an equivalent 24 hour a day on site security guard without the issues of covering holidays or health and safety risks associated with lone workers.
Clear Image deployed its Monitored CCTV solution at two sites managed by Anderson Harkins: Catcliffe Retail Park and Manningham Retail Park. The Catcliffe site is currently vacant and has experienced a number of break-ins and minor thefts of high value metals. The deployment of the Freedom service required just three cameras to provide complete coverage and led to a quick pay-off. In September 2010, a group that had been suspected of stealing metals targeted the site.
As Steve Pearson, Operations Manager for Anderson Harkins explains, “As I was leaving the site following an inspection, I noticed a few individuals loitering on the service road and contacted the monitoring station. They said they had already picked them up and would continue to monitor them.”
After Steve Pearson left, the group gained entry to the building via a roof door. However, the Freedom monitoring station had tracked the entire incident and called the police who responded with 6 squad cars and a helicopter to catch the intruders, two of whom had existing arrest warrants.
“The system has helped us to improve the security on both sites while removing the need to employ on site security guards” |
The Freedom CCTV solution was also deployed at the Manningham Retail site in October 2010 during a phase of refurbishment ahead of new retailers occupying the park. While the contractors where working on the refurbishment an organised gang entered the site and stole a high value piece of plant equipment which was loaded into a transit van.
Although the whole theft lasted just 7 minutes, the Clear Image Monitoring station had captured the incident with high quality images clearly identifying the registration number of the vehicle as well as evidential quality images of the suspects. The images from the incident have been supplied to the Police who are currently investigating the theft. As the Freedom solution offers a complete scene monitoring instead of old-fashioned PTZ cameras, there is no danger that an operator will be “looking the wrong way” when something occurs.
“The system has helped us to improve the security on both sites while removing the need to employ on site security guards,” explains Pearson, “Clear Image has provided a highly professional level of service to us and the fact that they survey the site, install, maintain and monitor the entire service for a fixed price is very cost effective for our business model and clients.”
